Domestic abuse victims in Birmingham being sent as far as Manchester, Labour
Domestic violence victims in Birmingham are being sent as far away as Manchester amid a “national crisis” in refuges, Labour has said.
Shadow communities minister Melanie Onn hit out at the Government as MPs backed a Bill that would give victims access to lifetime tenancies.
It came as a Tory MP called for action over GPs charging almost £100 for letters of evidence of abuse.
Ms Onn (pictured) told the Commons the current refuge system “is simply failing women across the country”.
She added: “Just this Friday, victims of domestic violence from Birmingham were offered accommodation in Burton, Milton Keynes and even as far away as Manchester.
“And this isn’t a small town having a spike in referrals. This is a city of 2.5 million people, sending victims 86 miles away because they don’t have the capacity to accommodate vulnerable people.
“Sadly, this fits into a national crisis under this Government.”
MPs were speaking at second reading of the Secure Tenancies (Victims of Domestic Abuse) Bill.
The Bill will ensure that victims of domestic violence who have a lifetime social tenancy will be able to retain this lifetime tenancy in new accommodation if they are forced to flee their current home.
It will also ensure that victims of domestic abuse who are joint lifetime tenants and want to remain in their home after the abuser has left or been removed can be granted lifetime tenancy after the joint tenancy has ended.
“This short and focused Bill is an important part of the Government’s wider aim of supporting victims of domestic abuse to leave their abusive situation and ensuring that they and their families are provided with the stability and security they need and deserve,” said communities minister Heather Wheeler.
“It ensures that where a lifetime tenant is rehoused in these circumstances, or where a victim is granted a new tenancy in their home after the previous tenancy has been brought to an end, the victim does not lose their security of tenure.
“This is about removing an impediment that could prevent victims from leaving their abusive situation, or from taking steps to secure their safety in their current social home.”
Ms Onn also said the legislation “will remove a key barrier for victims of domestic violence from leaving an abusive relationship and rebuilding their lives”.
During the debate, Tory MP Andrew Lewer (Northampton South) said action over fees for GP letters is “possible and certainly desirable”, adding: “It would appear that fees approaching £100 can be charged by GPs for letters of evidence of domestic abuse.
“Even when much less than that is charged I think it’d be seen as wrong. It’s within the letter of GP contracts as they currently stand maybe, but it’s wrong nevertheless.”
Mr Lewer said he was sure many GPs would not levy such charges to the vulnerable, but asked ministers to outline what progress has been made on the issue.
The Bill was given an unopposed second reading and will now undergo further scrutiny by MPs at committee stage.
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